Microsoft Reveals Tight Xbox Live Integration With Windows Phone 7

Windows Phone 7 is coming this holiday season, and Microsoft just
revealed one of its biggest features at the GamesCom event in Germany:
Xbox integration. That's right. Microsoft's new mobile operating system
will be tightly integrated with one of the world's most popular gaming
platforms, giving it a huge leg-up over the rivals. Even though Apple
will be pushing Games Center live shortly, Apple has no game console to
tie their OS into. And with the popularity of Xbox Live, it's obvious
that Microsoft will have the upper hand here. But will it be enough to
reclaim that market share they're lost to Android and iOS over the past
couple of years?

At the expo, Microsoft revealed the first set of Xbox Live games
launching on Windows Phone 7 this holiday, with Xbox Live avatars and
system information being ported directly to your phone account. Xbox
Live games on Windows Phone 7 will be specially selected from the
top names in mobile, PC and console game development, and with the
try-before-you-buy
demos, Xbox LIVE leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and
more, Windows Phone 7 definitely offers something that the others lack.

Windows Phone 7 also will be supported by content from Microsoft Game
Studios (MGS), which means that Windows Phone 7 will offer companion
titles to familiar
names, such as "Halo: Waypoint," and "Crackdown 2." The first wave of
launch portfolio titles includes Xbox LIVE games from
the likes of Gameloft, Konami Digital Entertainment, Namco Bandai,
PopCap and THQ, but the list doesn't end there. A huge portion of the
Xbox Live experience will soon be available on the phone as a tightly
integrated piece of Windows Phone 7, so we get the impression that the
gaming category is the next major battleground in mobile. Let the wars
begin!

Title Lineup, Windows Phone 7 Marks a New Era in Mobile GamingFirst wave of Xbox LIVE titles from award-winning publishers announced for the launch of Windows Phone 7.

COLOGNE, Germany, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at gamescom 2010, the world's largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. premiered the first wave of Xbox LIVE games launching on Windows Phone 7 this holiday. With even more games and applications to come, Windows Phone 7 is putting the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand — from Xbox LIVE Avatars to staying connected with friends, Xbox LIVE is now at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.*

"We believe that no matter where life takes you, the best in gaming and entertainment should follow," said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft. "Windows Phone 7 takes a different approach to handheld gaming, utilizing Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Game Studios, leading game publishers, and innovative indie developers, to create powerful, shared experiences for everyone."

The Games You Want, Played When and Wherever You Want Them

In a sea of games, apps, gadgets and gizmos, the biggest obstacle can be finding the game that's right for you. Only Windows Phone 7 has a Games hub featuring Xbox LIVE, creating a different kind of mobile gaming experience that puts the games you want front and center. Xbox LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 will be specially selected from the top names in mobile, PC and console game development, making the best mobile games even better, thanks to Xbox LIVE. With try-before-you-buy demos, Xbox LIVE leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and more, Windows Phone 7 brings the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go.

Windows Phone 7 also will be supported by content from Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), providing strong first-party gaming titles and intellectual property for the phone. For Xbox fans, this means that Windows Phone 7 will offer companion titles to familiar names, such as "Halo: Waypoint," and "Crackdown 2," extending the experience of their favorite Xbox 360 franchises.

"Windows Phone 7 is the launch of a major gaming platform for Microsoft," said Matt Booty, general manager of mobile gaming for MGS. "Just like we've done with Xbox 360, our charter is to push the envelope and deliver definitive games that maximize the platform. We will have an incredible lineup of MGS titles, and that's just the beginning."

The most creative minds in game development are bringing the biggest franchises to Windows Phone 7. The first wave of launch portfolio titles includes Xbox LIVE games from the likes of Gameloft, Konami Digital Entertainment, Namco Bandai, PopCap and THQ. Whether you choose to play a gem of a puzzler with "Bejeweled™ LIVE" (PopCap), bring down the house with "Guitar Hero 5" (Glu Mobile), fight off a destructive alien invasion in "The Harvest" (MGS), paint your way out of a corner with "Max and the Magic Marker" (PressPlay) or defend your city in "Crackdown 2: Project Sunburst" (MGS), the first wave of games announced in the launch portfolio of Xbox LIVE games on Windows Phone 7 has something for every mobile gamer:

Additional titles in the launch portfolio will be released between now and the Windows Phone 7 launch this holiday season; once the phone launches, new Xbox LIVE titles also will be added to the games portfolio every week.

Xbox LIVE: Bringing More to Your Mobile Gaming

Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 unlocks a world of games and fun and directly connects you to a global community of more than 25 million active Xbox LIVE members. Windows Phone 7 is the only phone that seamlessly integrates Xbox LIVE and provides unique mobile gaming experiences:

* Avatars. Connect to your Xbox LIVE profile and Avatar, or create a new one if you don't already have an Avatar or Xbox LIVE profile; take your 3-D Avatar and props with you on the phone with full closet access. * Friends. Bring your Xbox LIVE friends with you everywhere; compare Achievements, challenge rivals to your favorite game, and even see who's online and what they're doing on their consoles, PCs or phones. * Game access. Easily view and launch your full game library from a single location; find, try and buy new games either in the Marketplace or Games hub. * Achievements. Earn, view and track Achievements, view Xbox LIVE leaderboards and build your Gamerscore across Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 — every time you play an Xbox LIVE title. * Messaging. Communicate with all of your Xbox LIVE friends, any time you want, through Xbox LIVE messages. * Multiplayer. Invite, connect and play against friends on other Windows Phone 7 phones or the PC with turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming. * Spotlight. Access Xbox LIVE Spotlight feeds, including the latest game titles, breaking news from Xbox LIVE, game tips and tricks, and more.